Arsenal rocked by double fitness blow 24 hours before Newcastle United semi-final
Mikel Arteta has revealed Kai Havertz and Martin Odegaard were bed-ridden with illness for Arsenal’s 1-1 draw with Brighton.
Just 72 hours before Newcastle United travel to the Emirates for a Carabao Cup semi-final, the Gunners have illness in the camp. A bug must be floating about North London as Tottenham Hotspur players also suffered from sickness before the Magpies’ 2-1 win on Saturday.
Newcastle will take any advantage they can ahead of a crunch clash in an unforgiving venue. Just one win at the Emirates since its opening in 2006 came through Andy Carroll’s towering header over 14 years ago.
But the Magpies go into the clash in red-hot form, with six consecutive wins across all competitions. Alexander Isak is arguably the most devastating striker in England right now and, with Sandro Tonali at the base of midfield, Newcastle are purring.
Havertz and Odegaard being ruled out through illness would be a major boost - with the pair sidelined on Saturday. Speaking post-match, Arteta admitted neither player were able to make the Brighton game.
“Kai tried but he really was very honest and said ‘I can’t even train, I’m not feeling good at all’. We tried yesterday to see if he could train and he tried his best but he wasn’t able to do that. Martin (Odegaard) didn’t train and said 'I will see how I feel tomorrow' and he did his best to be here because we know the numbers that we have.”
Arsenal have a further six first-team stars on the treatment table - including England sensation Bukayo Saka. The likes of Ben White, Takehiro Tomiyasu and Raheem Sterling are also unavailable.